Laval QC ☕ The morning chat
Good morning,
Today, the focus is on water, roads, and anything that affects travel across the region. There’s also movement on several fronts in Québec and Canada, along with a few very concrete issues that touch daily life — from mail delivery to grocery costs, health care and housing.
What to know this morning
- Laval remains on alert due to spring flooding: The City is under close watch as water levels continue to rise.
- Saint‑Jérôme closes the Viau Bridge until further notice: Water has reached the bridge deck, a detour remains in place, and sandbags are being distributed to residents.
- Montréal faces an increased risk of localized flooding: Soils are already saturated and more rain is on the way.
- Québec may have twice as many flood‑zone homes as previously estimated: A private firm says nearly 80,000 buildings could be at risk.
- Québec government engineers secure a strong strike mandate: Their collective agreement expired in March 2023.
- Canada Post begins phasing out home mail delivery: The corporation is shifting toward community mailboxes and a reworked network.
- Food distributors add fuel surcharges for grocers: Sobeys refuses to pay, but smaller stores say they have little choice.
- The Canadiens will play their first game against Tampa Bay on Sunday afternoon: The NHL has released the full first‑round schedule.
Across Québec and Canada
- Christine Fréchette becomes Québec’s 33rd premier: She succeeds François Legault after being elected leader of the CAQ.
- Fréchette rejects the idea of tightening rules around the notwithstanding clause: She opposes the federal justice minister’s intention to further regulate its use.
- Long COVID could cost OECD countries up to US$11 billion per year: The economic impact could be felt well into the next decade.
- Ontario reports its first active wildfire of the season: It currently covers about 12 hectares.
- The CRA seeks to recover $5 million it considers fraudulent: The amount was allegedly paid to a British Columbia entrepreneur.
Justice & Society
- Truck driver pleads guilty in a 2022 fatal collision on Montréal’s South Shore: He admits responsibility for two deaths and injuries to three others.
- Two suspects arrested in the homicide of a teenager in Frampton: The investigation also involves acts linked to arson.
- Firearms trafficked from the U.S. found at crime scenes in Ontario and Québec: A Florida man has been convicted in the case.
- School system mobilizes against energy drinks for minors: The movement is gaining momentum following the death of young Zachary Miron.
- Dozens of veiled educators dismissed in Montréal: The CSSDM acknowledges the departures will affect schools.
Local Stories
- Laval Comiccon highlights K‑pop and anime on April 25 and 26: The event is presented as a gathering point for both francophone and anglophone communities.
- Just for Laughs adds Laval to its Showcase calendar: English‑language comedy shows will be presented monthly.
🗑️ Laval: How to check your grey‑bin collection day
Several readers have asked when to put out their grey bin. In Laval, garbage pickup doesn’t happen on the same day for every neighbourhood, the schedule varies by sector.
To find the exact pickup day for your address, the City offers a simple lookup tool:
👉 https://www.laval.ca/en/environment/collectes/calendrier-collectes/
Enter your address to see the full, up‑to‑date schedule for garbage, recycling and compost.
A quick check that saves a lot of unnecessary trips to the curb.
Main Story
Rising waters keep Laval and the North Shore on alert
Laval remains under alert as spring flooding continues. The issue is front and centre again this morning, unsurprising, given that several regions of Québec are watching water levels closely while ongoing rain complicates the situation.
On the North Shore, Saint‑Jérôme has closed the Viau Bridge until further notice after water reached the bridge deck. A detour is in place, the City is distributing sandbags, and river flow could exceed the flood threshold by Sunday.
The broader picture isn’t reassuring. As of Friday morning, 16 monitoring stations were already reporting minor flooding across Québec, and several municipalities have deployed pumps, sandbags and other protective measures.
Adding to this: nearly 80,000 buildings may be at risk of flooding in Québec, according to data obtained from a private firm. And in Montréal, saturated soils increase the likelihood of localized flooding as more rain approaches.
In short, if you were hoping to ignore the weather today, it clearly has other plans.
More to explore
Canada Post begins a transformation that will reduce home delivery
Canada Post is shifting toward greater use of community mailboxes and a reworked network of post offices.
For residents, it’s a very concrete change in how mail is received. What looks administrative on paper often becomes a new daily habit in practice.
Grocers face new fuel‑related fees
Some food distributors are now imposing fuel surcharges on grocers.
Sobeys refuses to pay, while smaller stores say they don’t have that flexibility. When supply‑chain costs rise, it’s rarely a small story for households.
Québec government engineers increase pressure
Government engineers have adopted a strong strike mandate, with their collective agreement expired since March 31, 2023.
Details of next steps aren’t yet clear, but the message is: tensions remain high, and some public‑sector files could feel the impact if the conflict escalates.
Truck driver pleads guilty in 2022 South Shore fatal crash
The driver accused of causing the deaths of a mother and her 11‑year‑old son on Highway 30 has pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death and injury. Sentencing is set for June 4.
Coup de Cœur
Seeing Laval appear both in a pop‑culture event and in an English‑language comedy lineup may not be the biggest headline of the day, but it says something. A city that hosts this kind of programming isn’t just a place you pass through, it’s a place that creates its own meeting points.
In Closing
That’s it for this morning.
Between rising rivers, shifting files and the small jolts of everyday life, the day ahead looks full. We hope you get through it calmly, with good boots if needed, and as few unexpected detours as possible. ☕